Stainless Steel S32906-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
UNS S32906 · EN 1.4477
Typical fabricated joint condition; weld metal strength matches base metal but toughness and pitting resistance depend on achieving 30–60 % ferrite.
Values for the AW condition
Other S32906 tempers and conditions
S32906 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at S32906.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Typical fabricated joint condition; weld metal strength matches base metal but toughness and pitting resistance depend on achieving 30–60 % ferrite. | 650 | 850 | 22 | 27 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Hot Rolled / Hot Finished + Solution Annealed and Pickled | Heavy plate and hot-finished seamless tube; same heat treatment as SA but coarser surface and slightly lower typical strength in thick sections. | 680 | 880 | 30 | 28 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Forged + Solution Annealed (ASTM A182 F-grade forgings) | Flanges, valve bodies and heavy fittings; requires careful forging finish temperature to avoid sigma phase before the anneal. | 690 | 880 | 28 | 29 HRC | 2 % IACS |
SADefault Solution Annealed + Quenched | Standard as-supplied condition for plate, tube, bar and fittings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite–austenite with maximum corrosion resistance. | 700 | 900 | 30 | 29 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Cold Rolled + Solution Annealed | Thin sheet and strip for fabricated linings and formed parts, bright 2B finish with the best surface for polishing. | 710 | 910 | 30 | 29 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Cold Drawn + Solution Annealed Tube | Precision small-bore tube for umbilicals and seawater heat exchangers; annealed after drawing for full corrosion resistance. | 720 | 920 | 30 | 29 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Cold worked | Choose when maximum strength is needed in umbilical tube or springs; corrosion resistance is retained but ductility and toughness drop sharply. | 900 | 1,050 | 15 | 34 HRC | 2 % IACS |
What is S32906-AW?
S32906-AW is S32906 heat treated to AW — typical fabricated joint condition; weld metal strength matches base metal but toughness and pitting resistance depend on achieving 30–60 % ferrite. S32906-AW has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S32906-AW has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F). SA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 21/100, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 280°C (536 °F), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 85 MPa·√m (77.4 ksi·√in), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
S32906-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32906-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32906 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32906-AW has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical16
S32906-AW has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S32906-AW is rated for continuous service to 280°C (536 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32906-AW conducts electricity at 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32906-AW takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
S32906-AW's machinability is poor (21/100, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S32906-AW
Is S32906 easy to machine?
Very tough and work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, low speed/high feed, heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can S32906 be welded?
Weld with 25Cr super duplex filler (e.g. ER2594) using controlled heat input ~0.5–1.5 kJ/mm, interpass < 150 °C, Ar+2 %N₂ backing; no PWHT — a full solution anneal + quench is the only correct heat treatment.
Can S32906 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with 50 % more power than austenitics and generous springback allowance; hot form 950–1150 °C and always solution anneal and water quench afterwards to restore phase balance.
What surface finishes work on S32906?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF or bead blast plus passivation to remove weld heat tint — residual oxide scale is the main cause of premature pitting; electropolishing gives the best seawater performance.
S32906 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 28 – 30 | 29 |
| Nilower Ni than 2507 | 5.8 – 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Mo | 1.5 – 2.6 | 2 |
| Naustenite stabiliser, raises PREN | 0.3 – 0.4 | 0.35 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S32906-AW — frequently asked
What is S32906-AW used for?
S32906-AW is typically used for oil and gas process piping, pressure vessels and high-strength structural parts. In short: highest-strength super duplex here; lean-nickel 2507 substitute; 700 MPa minimum yield.
What is the yield strength of S32906-AW?
S32906-AW has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S32906-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (21/100, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades). Very tough and work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp carbide with positive rake, low speed/high feed, heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can S32906-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weld with 25Cr super duplex filler (e.g. ER2594) using controlled heat input ~0.5–1.5 kJ/mm, interpass < 150 °C, Ar+2 %N₂ backing; no PWHT — a full solution anneal + quench is the only correct heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on S32906-AW?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF or bead blast plus passivation to remove weld heat tint — residual oxide scale is the main cause of premature pitting; electropolishing gives the best seawater performance.
Can S32906-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with 50 % more power than austenitics and generous springback allowance; hot form 950–1150 °C and always solution anneal and water quench afterwards to restore phase balance.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32906-AW?
S32906-AW is rated for continuous use to about 280°C (536 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S32906-SA and S32906-CW?
SA is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for plate, tube, bar and fittings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite–austenite with maximum corrosion resistance. CW: choose when maximum strength is needed in umbilical tube or springs; corrosion resistance is retained but ductility and toughness drop sharply. Yield strength is 700 MPa in SA versus 900 MPa in CW.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A789/A790 — Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing and Pipe — ASTM International (2021)
- Sandvik SAF 2906 (UNS S32906) tube and bar datasheet — Alleima (Sandvik Materials Technology) (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA / International Molybdenum Association (2014)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.